The National Emergency Supply Agency needed a comprehensive understanding of Finland's current level of protein self-sufficiency and its development potential in a changing operating environment. Luke conducted a study combining research on emerging protein crops, their cultivation requirements and the impacts of climate change on domestic food production. The results support strategic decision-making and help strengthen the resilience of Finland's food system.
Finland's security of supply is built on a well-functioning food system. At the same time, the operating environment is changing rapidly. Geopolitical tensions are increasing the risks associated with import dependency, while climate change is placing growing pressure on agricultural production.
Protein crops, such as peas and faba beans, are cultivated for their high-protein yields for both food and feed production. The National Emergency Supply Agency identified the need for a comprehensive assessment of Finland's current level of protein self-sufficiency and its future development options to support strategic decision-making.
"We wanted to understand the true state of Finland's protein self-sufficiency and identify what needs to be done to ensure that the system can better withstand current and future disruptions," says Jukka Peltola, Preparedness Specialist at the National Emergency Supply Agency.
Luke was a natural partner for the project thanks to its broad understanding of Finnish agriculture and its operating environment.
"We needed a partner capable of looking at the entire value chain rather than focusing only on individual crops or statistics. Luke has a strong understanding of how climate, nutrients, crop yields and markets are interconnected," Peltola explains.
Together with Luke, the National Emergency Supply Agency carried out a comprehensive study examining the current state, development potential and risks of domestic plant protein production. The study combines insights into climate change impacts, agricultural production conditions and the resilience of Finland's food system.
Luke analysed both Finnish variety trials and international examples of breeding and cultivating new protein crops. Particular attention was paid to identifying which crops and varieties are best suited to different regions of Finland and the cultivation requirements related to soil, temperature and moisture conditions. The project also produced pre-breeding plans that provide a solid foundation for future development initiatives.
The study provides the National Emergency Supply Agency with practical information on the key vulnerabilities within Finland's protein supply chain and ways to reduce them. The findings support decision-making and help guide future actions related to crop selection, plant breeding and production development.
The study delivers a clear message: strengthening domestic plant protein production is a key element of Finland's security of supply. Dependence on imported protein sources exposes the food system to disruptions, while climate change further increases production uncertainty. Addressing these challenges requires long-term, research-based development.
"Luke's analysis provides a concrete roadmap for expanding cultivation areas, improving yields and enhancing crop reliability through plant breeding. This means that security of supply is no longer based solely on stockpiles or imports, but increasingly on the resilience of the production system itself and its ability to function during disruptions," Peltola says.
At the same time, developing domestic plant protein production diversifies Finnish agriculture and strengthens its sustainability. Protein crops and new crop species offer more diverse crop rotations and improve adaptation to weather extremes, making them an increasingly important part of Finland's future food system.
According to the National Emergency Supply Agency, collaboration with Luke worked extremely well throughout the project.
"Luke's research team clearly understood what we wanted to investigate and why. They were able to connect protein self-sufficiency with the future impacts of climate change. In addition, their international networks provided valuable comparative information from other countries. The final results are easy to use as a practical tool in the National Emergency Supply Agency's programme work," Peltola says.
According to Lotta Heikkilä, Senior Customer Manager at Luke, the project demonstrates the value that research-based collaboration can deliver for customers.
"This collaboration clearly demonstrates how Luke helps its customers anticipate changes in the operating environment and develop solutions that strengthen the resilience of the entire food system. By combining expertise in natural resources research, climate change impact assessment and practical production systems, we help our customers prepare for future risks and support long-term decision-making in an increasingly uncertain environment," Heikkilä concludes.
The project demonstrates how research collaboration can be transformed into practical tools that support decision-making and strengthen society's overall resilience.
Customer: National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA), responsible for developing Finland's security of supply and critical infrastructure.
Challenge: To develop a comprehensive understanding of Finland's protein self-sufficiency and its future development potential in order to strengthen the resilience of the food system in the face of geopolitical and climate-related changes.
Solution: An in-depth study of the current state, development potential and risks of domestic plant protein production. The project combined research on climate change, cultivation conditions and food system resilience, while producing recommendations for crop selection, plant breeding and production development.
Impact: Supports Finland's security of supply and provides evidence-based guidance for strategic decision-making.
Funding: National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA)
Customer feedback: Luke brought a comprehensive understanding of the entire food system to the project and successfully connected climate change impacts with agricultural production and market perspectives. The collaboration was smooth and resulted in practical, easy-to-use material that directly supports decision-making.
